Editor’s Update, 11/17/2011, 5pm: Senator Haar introduced and withdrew an amendment that would have designated the Sandhills as an “avoidance area” this morning on the floor. While we wish this could have been accomplished during the special session, we look forward to Senators Haar and Schilz brining up the critical issue of protecting the Sandhills […]

The following press release was submitted by: Nebraska Sierra Club, Bold Nebraska, Nebraska Green Party, Audubon Nebraska, Nebraska League of Women Voters, Nebraska Wildlife Federation, Nebraska Interfaith Power and Light, Guardians of the Good Life Groups are releasing a resolution from the Citizens’ Special Session that makes it clear, we expect the legislature to pass […]

The legislature just voted 44-0 to advance Senator Dubas’ LB1, the Major Oil Pipeline Siting Act. The bill would give the Public Service Commission responsibility for reviewing proposed pipeline routes, and it would require a pipeline company to get that state permit before having eminent domain authority. The only amendment approved was the committee amendment […]

Here is our fearless leader, Jane Kleeb’s statement on today’s announcement. Below is a longer statement on the process. “We are proud of citizens for pushing state leaders to do the right thing: requiring the pipeline be moved out of the Sandhills and establishing a state-based regulatory system. However, we do not trust Transcanada. They have […]

Speaker Flood announced on the floor of the legislature this afternoon that TransCanada has agreed to move their pipeline out of the Sandhills. He asked that Senator Langemeier’s bill be altered to become a state-based EIS and that Senator Dubas’ siting bill be kicked out to the floor to create a regulatory process for all […]

The Administration and the State Department announced this afternoon that the decision on whether or not to permit TransCanada’s risky Keystone XL pipeline is delayed until a new Environmental Impact Statement is done on alternative routes. The delay is expected to last until early 2013. The Sandhills and Ogallala Aquifer are too important to our […]

Late Wednesday evening, the Natural Resources Committee advanced a bill to set forth regulations on pipeline routing. The bill, which will be available on Thursday morning, was mostly Senator Langemeier’s bill with components of Senator Dubas’ bill. “It’s the Governor’s special session and the Natural Resources Committee has advanced a bill to deal with the […]

Senator Ben Nelson spoke about the pipeline today on a press call. With the critical importance of the pipeline and special session, we wanted to share his statement regarding oil pipeline routing and the special session. Senator Nelson and Johanns as well as Rep. Fortenberry have met with landowners and have been asking questions about […]

UPDATE: Today’s hearings were far more respectful and cordial to testifiers. We appreciate Chairman Langmeier changing the ugly tone from last night to one that welcomed citizen input. We recommend sending him a thank you (402) 471-2719, clangemeier@leg.ne.gov Sample Letter: Senator Langemeier, I cc’ed you this morning on an email I sent to Senator McCoy regarding his […]

It was day six of the special session, and still no sign of Governor Heineman. There was no word from him on a bill that would give his office siting authority or any of the bills for that matter. If we needed a sign that the governor does not take this special session seriously, this […]